The Summer of Xavier

I have always maintained that the summer before my sons turned two was the best summer for them. Malachi turned two in September of 2002, and the summer of 2002 was the absolute best with him. Isaiah turned two in July of 2006, and that summer was fun with him too. This is Xavier's summer before he turns two this October. I know that it is going to be a memorable summer with him too.

I don't know what it is about this season, or this age. Maybe it's the freedom that summer affords. We are not really on schedules and with the warm weather, we don't really have to even prepare to go outdoors either. Barefoot or not, we just go. Being outside allows for new discoveries too. Seeing these discoveries through the eyes of a 20 month old only enhances the specialness of the discovery.

So today I had Xavier outside and I spent time just watching him. You see, because I've been there-done that with his older brothers, I know that this summer is the one magical summer where he will discover the most and things that are brand new to him will amaze and amuse him. Because I know this, I savored his excitement and his expressions while I watched him.

I will never forget the way his fine hair blew in the breeze as I pushed him in his swing. I will never forget the image of him chasing a bird, then flinching and squeezing his eyes shut as the bird turned and flew towards him. I will never forget him running as fast as his chubby baby legs could take him, only to fall down. Then when he got up, he slapped his hands together to get the newly mowed grass off of his hands. I'm sure his Nan will never forget him running from her and getting across the street either. Did I mention he was a runner? A not so good thing about this summer - he is no longer boxed in!

The best realization that I had today was that while I was with Xavier and watching his experiences, it brought back memories that I had of Malachi and Isaiah at this same age. Memories that I have tucked away suddenly came to the surface. I love that. This is definitely the summer of Xavier. He will learn a lot this summer, and we will be kept on our toes because of it.